By – Shubhendra Singh Rajawat
New Delhi, India – A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night resulted in the deaths of 18 passengers, with over 20 others injured. The chaos erupted as a massive crowd gathered at the station to board trains heading toward Prayagraj.
Cause of the Stampede
The unfortunate incident occurred as thousands of devotees rushed to board trains heading to Prayagraj, a popular religious destination. With the weekend coinciding with an important religious event, the station witnessed an overwhelming surge of passengers. The situation worsened due to inadequate crowd control measures.
Eyewitnesses reported that passengers, eager to secure seats, started pushing each other. As people climbed over one another, the stampede resulted in numerous casualties. Many individuals were trapped on staircases, escalators, and overbridges as they attempted to move toward their designated platforms.
Casualties and Emergency Response
Dr. Ritu Saxena, head of the emergency department at Lok Nayak Hospital, confirmed the deaths of 15 individuals, including 11 women and three children. Two additional deaths were reported at Lady Hardinge Hospital. Another individual succumbed to injuries later that night, bringing the total toll to 18.
Emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire department personnel, rushed to the site. Director of the Fire Department, Atul Garg, stated that they received a distress call at 9:55 PM about a stampede near platforms 14 and 15. Fire tenders and rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the location to assist victims.
Sequence of Events Leading to the Stampede
Railway officials revealed that a special train for Prayagraj was announced at the last minute, triggering panic among passengers. Prior to this, two other trains to Prayagraj were delayed, causing frustration among travelers who had been waiting for hours. The announcement of an additional train led to thousands of passengers rushing toward platforms 14 to 16, leading to uncontrollable chaos.
A witness recounted that as the Shiv Ganga Express departed from platform 12, a significant number of passengers moved toward platforms 14 and 15, causing overcrowding. The rush resulted in people falling over one another, particularly on staircases and escalators, which further escalated the disaster.
Railway Authorities’ Response
North Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, stated that the incident occurred when two major trains, Magadh Express (platform 14) and Uttar Sampark Kranti Express (platform 15), were stationed. The sudden movement of a passenger on the staircase triggered a fall, leading to a domino effect as several others tumbled over, resulting in the stampede.
Railway authorities also disclosed that approximately 1,500 tickets were being sold per hour, surpassing the station’s capacity to handle such a massive crowd. The unexpected surge made it nearly impossible for security personnel to manage the situation effectively.
Government’s Reaction and Investigation Orders
Following the tragic event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims’ families. “I am deeply pained by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he stated.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also mourned the incident, ensuring that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine accountability. “The entire team is working to provide aid to those affected. We have ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident,” he announced.
Controversy Over Authorities’ Initial Denial
In the aftermath of the tragedy, North Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer initially dismissed reports of a stampede, calling them “rumors.” However, as confirmed casualties surfaced, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena verified the fatalities and offered condolences. A controversy ensued when Saxena’s initial tweet confirming the deaths was later modified, adding to the confusion regarding the administration’s response to the crisis.
Eyewitness Accounts of Tragic Loss
Many survivors shared heartbreaking stories of losing their loved ones in the chaos. Rajkumar Majhi from Bihar, who was traveling with his wife, daughter, and son, revealed that his wife Shanti Devi and daughter Pooja lost their lives in the stampede, while his son remains missing. Similarly, a passenger named Pappu from Patna shared that he lost his mother in the incident.
Conclusion
This devastating event at New Delhi Railway Station raises serious concerns about crowd management and safety measures at major railway hubs. With lakhs of passengers traveling daily, better planning, stricter security controls, and improved communication strategies are needed to prevent such disasters in the future. As investigations continue, families of the victims await justice and improved safety protocols to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again.